Our story in Austria
CEF began in Austria in 1955, the year the country regained its independence. Trudy Kuhlman, whose parents had emigrated from Austria to New York, returned with Ruth Krueger to bring the Gospel to children living in refugee camps. Mothers came with their children to hear the message of salvation, and New Testaments were handed out by the hundreds.
From there the work spread — Good News Clubs and Vacation Bible Schools across Styria, Wels, Linz, Zeltweg and, from 1962, Vienna. In Zeltweg, children packed one small hall so tightly they sat on window ledges and stairs. By 1983 twelve full-time workers were serving across the country.
Today Austria is one of CEF’s focus countries, with no full-time worker in place. The children are still there. Would you pray for workers?
Jesse Irvin Overholtzer, founder of Child Evangelism Fellowship
A Global Mission
Child Evangelism Fellowship is an international, interdenominational organisation working in over 200 countries around the world.
CEF was founded in 1937 by Jesse Irvin Overholtzer — a pastor who became convinced that children could truly understand and respond to the Gospel. His conviction was shaped by a simple but powerful statement:
"A child of five, if properly instructed, can as truly believe and be regenerated as an adult."
That conviction has driven the ministry ever since. From its headquarters in Warrenton, USA, CEF has grown into one of the world’s largest children’s evangelism organisations — and today that same mission continues here in Austria.
CEF in Europe
The European headquarters is in Iași, Romania. CEF Europe is organised into five areas: North-West, South-West, North-Central, South-Central, and Eastern Europe. Austria belongs to the North-West area, overseen by Area Director Stephen Chambers.
Iulian & Anca Mangalagiu
Regional Director of Child Evangelism Fellowship of Europe.
Iulian oversees CEF's ministry across the whole European region.
Stephen & Grace Chambers
Area Director for North-West Europe, covering the Nordics (Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark), the Baltics (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia), and German-speaking countries (Germany, Switzerland, Austria).
Explore CEF Across Europe
Visit our Europe-wide website to explore more about CEF's work across the continent.
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